Proofreading/Editing

Whether it’s a school assignment, an academic paper, or maybe even a translation from somewhere else, sometimes you need the help of an experienced professional to make sure you end up with a truly polished final product. From simple proofreading of grammar and spelling to full editing of style and more, we can help. Make an inquiry →

The difference between proofreading and editing is one of the less understood concepts in the business, with even agencies and translators often using the terms interchangeably. It’s important to know which one you actually need, as the time, effort, and cost required is very different. Click on the tabs above to learn more about each service.

Proofreading is a final check of a text to ensure that there are no typos, grammatical errors, mechanical mistakes (spelling, punctuation, etc.), or sentence structure problems. The key point here is final check – the text should already be fairly polished, and this is the last step to ensure that it is pristine.

Monolingual Proofreading:

Monolingual proofreading means that only the text being proofread will be referenced. Even if there is a source language text, it will be ignored.

Bilingual Proofreading:

Bilingual proofreading refers to the process of proofreading while also referencing the source language text. In addition to performing the above proofreading tasks, a bilingual proofreading will also ensure that there are no omissions or glaring mistakes in the translation.

Editing is generally more involved than proofreading, because it focuses on the content of the text. When editing, attention is paid to style, tone, flow, readability, clarity, and accuracy. Additionally, the editor checks for consistency, as well as proper use of terminology.

Monolingual Editing:

Monolingual editing means that only the text being edited will be referenced. Even if there is a source language text, it will be ignored.

Bilingual Editing:

Bilingual editing refers to the process of editing while also referencing the source language text. In addition to performing the above editing tasks, a bilingual editing will also ensure that the translation is consistent, accurate, and uses the appropriate style and terminology.

Pricing and Caveats

Due to the variable nature of the work, proofreading and editing rates are generally priced per hour. Upon reviewing the actual text to be proofread or edited, it may be possible to price by source character/word, or on a per-project basis. Please note that trying to fix a bad translation via proofreading or editing is counterproductive – this almost always takes more time and costs more than simply having a quality translation prepared from scratch.

Trying to fix a bad translation via proofreading or editing is counterproductive.